Taiko for peace
We were delighted to have been awarded funding to start a new cross-community group for primary school children from the Bogside and the Fountain supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Reconciliation Fund.
We have a full report on the outcomes of this project here!
Taiko for carers
With initial support from funding from the Department of Health Carers’ Fund managed by the Community Fund of Northern Ireland in 2023, we began working with groups of carers using taiko drumming to improve mental health and wellbeing, give carers some time for themselves and build their connections. This project continues with the support and funding from the National Lottery Awards For All fund. We were even featured in the Irish Times Magazine in 2025!
TAIKO FOR MENTAL HEALTH
The project will evaluate the impact of taiko drumming on the mental health and well being of participants. We are so excited to be working with lead researcher Dr Grainne McAnee from Ulster University to create this body of research.
Irodori Teen Taiko
Irodori Taiko is our teen taiko group that started in 2017. ‘Irodori’ means a harmony of colours and it represents the diversity of this wonderful group of young people. Irodori Taiko is a group for LGBTQ+ teens, siblings and allies. Taiko provides a unique, nourishing space for self expression, team bonding/building and empowerment for the young people taking part.
YUJo Taiko
From the very beginning, it was our intention to use taiko drumming as a force for good here in Northern Ireland. To use it as a new art form, not belonging to one traditional side or the other, free from any historical issues of belonging or not belonging. Yu-Jo Taiko was set up in 2013 as part of the City of Culture celebrations and continuing as a Legacy project.
the Matsuri Project
‘Matsuri’ translates as ‘festival’ in Japanese. At the heart of many Japanese festivals, there is a small core group of ‘matsuri’ musicians who play the familiar folk songs and bon odori dance repertoire. We wanted to create a similar live experience for our homegrown festival audiences and participants and are delighted to have been supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to bring this group together for our festival in May 2023.